Momence High School - Monesse Yearbook (Momence, IL)

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MOMENCE HIGH SCHOOL

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10 SENIOR YEAR BOOK. purpose. It might seem rather slow at first, but we should remember that “Slow and steady wins the race.” The needs and results of athletics are being carefully and universally considered, and the people are abandoning many of their frivolous ideas of fashion. They now look upon a weak and puny body in pity, while they for¬ merly regarded it with envy. Theodore Roosevelt has said, “Athletic sports, if followed properlj,, are admirable for developing character.” How glorious a thing it is to be blessed with perfect health and a strong body. In fact, it is only when these conditions do exist that man can right¬ fully be expected to attain to a superior degree of excellence, in virtue of the faculties with which he is endowed.

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J Ph e fl ilonjathiar) Society. BY MISS FRANCES CLARK. The Philomathian Society was organized in 1891 by the members of the Momence High School. The purpose of this organization was to “fill a long felt want.” Before this time the few programs given had been planned and carried out without any very definite system, but the time had now come when the pupils as well as the instructors felt the need of more literary work. This, it was thought, would be of great benefit to all. The offices are as follows: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Corres¬ ponding Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant-at-arms. These are elected every three months. Following are the officers for the present term: President, Mamie Brady; Vice-president, Hugh Craig; Secretary, Mary Hamilton; Corresponding Sec¬ retary, Helen Gray; Treasurer, H. P. Little; Sergeant-at-arms, Wayne Kelsey. The meetings are conducted according to Roberts’ Rules of Order. To make the meetings more interesting congresses, city councils and courts are organized, the work of these supplementing the regular literary work of the society. One of the most important of the trials was held during the year 1898. In this case one of the young men of the school was accused of having stolen a book from a fellow pupil and actually, after the trial was over, he was almost ready to admit the theft. Another trial is now in progress, one of the young ladies of the school being accused of having attacked and seriously injured one of the teachers, and in this case also the defense will be obliged to present its side of the case very strongly or the prisoner will be compelled to inhale “the dull dungeon’s murky air.” Both of these trials aroused considerable interest among the pupils and rendered them capable of at least keeping track of the proceedings in an ordinary case in a “sure enough” court. It is the earnest wish of the people of Momence that the work of this so¬ ciety should continue. Its beneficial influence can scarcely be over-estimated. It is certainly a matter of vital importance that the American citizen should be able to take an intelligent part in all public proceedings. That’s the way we do things in this country.